No Thanksgiving Turkey At Harns

The Thanksgiving holiday has become a tradition of sorts to soak in the wildlife of southwest Florida.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

This year was no different. A sunrise arrival was made at Harns Marsh Preserve.

The Wood Stork above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The immature Little Blue Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Limpkin above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Snail Kite above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

More waterfowl are being seen this year than last at Harns as the water level of the water reclamation area is apparently favored.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Coot above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Killdeer above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

There were no surprises with views of species that should be expected at this time of year.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Coot above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Northern Harrier and Snail Kite were typically distant with a Bald Eagle on the scene as well.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

It was a treat to meet up with Tom Wymelenberg. Ron Bishop was also seen at Harns this day. Tom Obrock has advised that Ron may permanently be leaving the area.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The White Ibis above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Palm Warbler above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Tree Swallow above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Anhinga above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

There was a small chance that wild turkeys would be seen as they have been before at Harns.

The Bald Eagle above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Northern Harrier above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Black Vulture above (image 29) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Tree Swallow above (image 30) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Mottled Duck above (image 31) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

With the absence of the turkeys from view this day, they evidently had appointments that they had to keep.

The Black Vulture above (image 32) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Meeting with bud Frank Constantin the day of this writing, he showed a stunning pic of the cranes at Harns Marsh from his trip on 11 December.

A Red-Headed Woodpecker Family: Part I

A short distance east of Harns Marsh Preserve is a habitat ideal for observation of Red-headed Woodpecker and other bird species.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

This venue was brought to my attention by local Fort Myers wildlife enthusiast, Tom Obrock. It was a treat to visit this place with the company of visiting Michigan birder, Hemant Kishan. Hemant and I arrived shortly after sunrise after realizing we were on the wrong side of the 12th Street canal.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The snags in the relatively small undeveloped area of land in the neighborhood of Joel are an ideal environment for a resplendent family of Red-headed Woodpeckers that is conservatively noted at seven individuals. My report to eBird had the number of birds reported questioned as too many.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

With that noted, I will question information available at eBird. While this first article reflects a relative few images of birds observed on 8 August 2014, the followup visit on 11 August substantiated and improved on observations made.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

There was mating or attempted such behavior of Red-headed Woodpeckers observed on several occasions on the 8th. A pair of Mourning Dove were "in the mood" as well. It was unexpected to observe a Northern Flicker which is one of my favorite woodland birds.

The White-winged Dove above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

This venue is a must stop in the early morning if you are in the area with much more offered in the next edition of this story.

The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Joel (Lehigh Acres) in August 2014.

Please also see A Red-headed Woodpecker Family: Part II